FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA– A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 489,906visitors to the three Flagstaff Area National Monuments-Sunset Crater Volcano, Walnut Canyon and Wupatki, in 2012 spent $26,362,000 in communities near the monuments. That spending supported 337jobs in the local area.

“The Flagstaff Area National Monuments is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” said superintendent Kayci Cook Collins. “We are delighted to share the story of these places and the experiences it provides and to use the monuments as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy – returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service - and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities.”

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey

economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and Lynne Koontz for the

National Park Service. The report shows $14.7 billion of direct spending by 283 million park

visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 243,000 jobs

nationally, with 201,000 jobs found in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit

to the U.S. economy of $26.75 billion.

According to the report most visitor spending supports jobs in restaurants, grocery and

The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

To learn more about national parks in Arizonaand how the National Park Service works with

Arizonacommunities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/ARIZONA.

Walnut Canyon NM is located 10 miles east of downtown Flagstaff via I-40 and can be reached at (928)526-3367 and on the web at www.nps.gov/waca. Sunset Crater Volcano NM is located six miles north of Flagstaff via Hwy 89 and can be reached at (928)526-0502 and on the web at www.nps.gov/sucr. Wupatki NM is 26 miles north of Flagstaff via Hwy 89, and can be reached at (928)679-2365 and on the web atwww.nps.gov/wupa. All three monuments are open daily, except December 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.